Got a drunk driver off the road!

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MesquiteMan

MesquiteMan

Retired Head Moderator
Joined
Oct 18, 2005
Messages
5,680
Location
San Marcos, TX, USA.
This week has been a bad one but last night something good happened. I was driving back from the hospital in Austin at about 11:30 pm and had my 83 year old grand mother with me. We were on I35 coming in to San Marcos when I noticed a red Chevy s10 pickup all over the highway. They were going over the line on the right, then correcting and going over the line on the left. A couple of times they nearly side swiped an 18 wheeler.

I got behind them and called 911 to report it. I gave the license plate number and the 911 operator asked me to stay behind them if possible. I dropped back a little to be safe and followed. They knew I was following so they slowed down to 50 and pulled into the right lane of a 3 lane highway. Then, all of a sudden, they floored it,reaching 95 mph.

I was reporting mile markers and speeds to the 911 operator and they gold me to go ahead and stay with them if I felt safe, even though I was breaking the law by speeding. They slowed down to 85 mph and kept it there. We were approaching the county line so 911 had to transfer me to the next county over. About this time, I was coming up to my exit but I did not want to give up and let the jerk get away. I looked over at my grandma and asked her if she was tired and needed to go home. She said "heck no, let's not let them get away!" so I stayed with them.

The next county got their officers set up along the highway and asked me to put on my hazard flashers so they would know I was the "good" guy. Finally, we passed the cruisers on the side of the road and they got in pursuit and I was told I could back off. I slowed down and let them handle it. The driver finally exited the highway and still did not want to stop. They ended up with 5 cruisers and basically forced them to stop.

The 911 operator asked me if I would be willing to stop near by so one of the officers could come and get a statement from me and of course, my grandma was more than willing!

I gave my statement and the officer said the person was a woman and was way intoxicated. After he was done with me, he shook my hand and said "Thank you, you did a great thing tonight!". All in all, we pursued her for a little over 20 miles and I did not get Grandma home until 12:45 but she thoroughly enjoyed it!

Pretty good break for her after sitting in the hospital all afternoon waiting for her husband, my step grand dad to pass away. He is still with us but had a huge stroke and will not recover. It is just a matter of time.

Anyway, I sure felt good knowing that I possibly stopped that jerk from killing someone.
 
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Good for you, and thanks for sharing the details. I wondered what I should do when I see that. Usually I just back off and keep away from the person. But in the future I'll give 911 a call.
 
Curtis, God bless you for this. I am sure you saved someone's life. I know that when they kill someone innocent, the victim's family can never have their loved one back and the SOB who drinks and does the horrible crime gets to sit in a jail on our tax money and get a better education. I am sure you were meant to do this other wise one of the other guys besides you would have done it. Nice, job and give your grandma a high five because most of them seniors at that age would have a fit when you do that. I hope that if you think your step grand father may not make it, it would be an easy last days and sorry to hear about this news.

BTW, Curtis, that was brave of you driving 95 miles/HR knowing that Texas Highway patrols lurk around our area a lot and with all them semi's on the road. I am sure that they were not too happy about that situation. Glad you made it safe.
 
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Good for you Curtis. I'm glad that ended up with her busted and noone hurt.

With the 911 call and the mile markers, etc hopefully they can add other charges.

You and your family will be in our thoughts in the coming days.
 
Curtis, My prayers go out to you and your family in this hardship time. Your brave act probably saved a life tonight if not the drivers life. Sometimes this is what it takes to change peoples lives for the better ( being arrested) and everyone who is connected to this person, hopefully changing futures for the better. As a deputy of 18 years and counting I'm glad to see people like you and your grandmother helping out and hopefully showing others how to make a difference. To many times I hear ... "Im not getting involved" or "that's not my job", in a world of under staffed offices that to often relates to the old saying... "where's a cop when you need one." A simple call with a license plate number or color of car can make a difference. You went beyond that! Great job! I wish I were there to shake your hand.
 
THANK YOU!!! About 20 years ago a very good friend was killed in New Mexico by a drunk driver. You very likely saved a life tonight!!!
 
Nicely done!! I wish more people would have the same attitude that you do. It's great to know that there still are people out there who don't just look away when they see bad stuff happening.
 
Thank you for your courage and taking the time. You helped the driver and anyone else on the road. Your grandma sounds like my kind of woman. I hope that when I am that old that I have that kind of spirit. Sorry about your Step grandpa, I hope that he is comfortable and that you and your family are surrounded by support and love at this difficult time.
 
Curtis,

What a great story with a happy ending! I must admit, I have zero tolerance for drunk drivers. You have no way of knowing who's life you may have saved that day. Nice job and thanks for sharing.

Jim Smith
 
Curtis, my wishes are with you and your family. Sorry to hear about your step grandfather.

But thank you for reporting that creep to the police. Sounds like you had a good time with your Grandma and lifted her spirits!

Reminded me of a similar experience I had about 6 years ago. I was going past a hotel where known drug deals go down...well sure enough a car pulls out in front of me with 2 young men in the front seat. The passanger held up a gallon sized ziplock bag half full with pot. Did I mention it was broad daylight? So I did those nice boys a favor and called the police who caught them.

Now mind you I really don't care if you smoke, I don't but I know PLENTY of people who do...no big deal. But if you are going to be THAT stupid, then sorry you are getting reported.
 
You've joined the club!
Been a member for a long time. Doesn't hurt my feelings a bit taking a drunk off the road! Over the last decade I have called in and reported no less then 20, 8 of which were taken away I know.
You see a lot of them while driving the big rigs over the road.



Scott (get rid of more) B
 
Curtis that is what heck of a story, and truly you did the right thing not to mention how that must of made your grandma proud of you.You must of had a lot of angels surrounding you & grandma. Louie
 
Thanks for a job well done, Curtis! :highfive:

I'm sure your grandmother is as pleased as punch with her grandson. I'm so sorry, though, to hear of your step-grandfather. You and your grandma will be in my thoughts.

But it IS nice to know that I-35 as an honorary "head moderator"!! :wink::smile:
 
WTG Curtis, no less than I would expect of you!
Grandma sounds like a peach.
Prayers for your step Dad and those that love him.
Vern
 
Curtis, As someone who lost a close friend, a fellow physician, and his family members due to a drunk driver, I can't tell you enough how much respect I have for you and your actions. I'm sure your grandmother was very proud of you. My thoughts are with you and your family during this hard time.
 
Curtis:
Good job! Now, rest assured that her attorney will now try to dig up anything and everything from your past to try to make you look like an "unreliable" witness in court.

That was a brave and very civic-minded thing that you did! Now, be prepared.....as no good deed ever goes unpunished:)
 
WOW. That is all I can say, just WOW. Both ends of the spectrum in emotions. God Bless. That sucker could have hit me or my wife, or my kids.
Thank you.
 
I was repeating your story to Mary and she reminded me of the time when she stopped at a Highway Patrol office in California to report a drunk driver. They would not take her verbal information and made her go outside to a pay phone and call 911 to report the drunken driver. Then they got them. This was before cell phones, of course. I am not sure Mary wanted me to admit that part.
 
I've done the same a couple times.

My Dad was a drunk who had his license revoked several times, and I'd turn him in if he did it near me (assuming he were still alive).

Good job Sheriff Curtis
 
Curtis PLEASE come up here, there's enough drunk drivers around here you could be fully employed and all your free time filled chasing down Drunk Drivers, Thanks for getting one off the road for a while.
 
Wow! Good for you to be responsible and report the person. I'm sure that there were others who didn't prior to you stepping up and calling 911.

And Grandma sounds like one tough cookie. I'd hate to get on her bad side!
 
Way to go Curtis, you most likely saved some lives. My prayers are with you and your family.
 
You will never know if you saved a life or not, but you did make a difference.

Sorry to hear about your step-grandfather. I will be praying for your grandmother and the rest of the family.
 
Curtis I know the feeling. I had that happen to me early one morning on the way to work. Followed the guy and waited until the police nabbed him. They found drugs in his car along with open containers of beer. I even got a $100 reward from the local chapter of MADD.

WTG!!! I am glad that you were able to stay with them and get them off the road. Have a great weekend!
 
Great thing to do. My neck hairs went up when the dispatch asked you to stay with em. Up here in liberal state #3, it would have been ALL YOUR FAULT if the drunk driver had hit somebody!

I'm glad Texas still has some personal responsibility!
 
Me too

MesquiteMan said:
This week has been a bad one but last night something good happened. I was driving back from the hospital in Austin at about 11:30 pm and had my 83 year old grand mother with me. We were on I35 coming in to San Marcos when I noticed a red Chevy s10 pickup all over the highway. They were going over the line on the right, then correcting and going over the line on the left. A couple of times they nearly side swiped an 18 wheeler.

I got behind them and called 911 to report it. I gave the license plate number and the 911 operator asked me to stay behind them if possible. I dropped back a little to be safe and followed. They knew I was following so they slowed down to 50 and pulled into the right lane of a 3 lane highway. Then, all of a sudden, they floored it,reaching 95 mph.

I was reporting mile markers and speeds to the 911 operator and they gold me to go ahead and stay with them if I felt safe, even though I was breaking the law by speeding. They slowed down to 85 mph and kept it there. We were approaching the county line so 911 had to transfer me to the next county over. About this time, I was coming up to my exit but I did not want to give up and let the jerk get away. I looked over at my grandma and asked her if she was tired and needed to go home. She said "heck no, let's not let them get away!" so I stayed with them.

The next county got their officers set up along the highway and asked me to put on my hazard flashers so they would know I was the "good" guy. Finally, we passed the cruisers on the side of the road and they got in pursuit and I was told I could back off. I slowed down and let them handle it. The driver finally exited the highway and still did not want to stop. They ended up with 5 cruisers and basically forced them to stop.

The 911 operator asked me if I would be willing to stop near by so one of the officers could come and get a statement from me and of course, my grandma was more than willing!

I gave my statement and the officer said the person was a woman and was way intoxicated. After he was done with me, he shook my hand and said "Thank you, you did a great thing tonight!". All in all, we pursued her for a little over 20 miles and I did not get Grandma home until 12:45 but she thoroughly enjoyed it!

Pretty good break for her after sitting in the hospital all afternoon waiting for her husband, my step grand dad to pass away. He is still with us but had a huge stroke and will not recover. It is just a matter of time.

Anyway, I sure felt good knowing that I possibly stopped that jerk from killing someone.
Click to expand...

I pretty much quit drinking 30 or 35 years ago and got a drunk driver off the road too....me.:wink:
 
arw01 said:
Great thing to do. My neck hairs went up when the dispatch asked you to stay with em. Up here in liberal state #3, it would have been ALL YOUR FAULT if the drunk driver had hit somebody!

I'm glad Texas still has some personal responsibility!
Click to expand...

Bit of the same feeling here re staying with them . A drunk At 85 mph is a substantially greater hazard than one at 50 mph . Many years ago used to be one here who would use the whole road , but at 30 mph !

Your need to be transferred from one set of officers to another as county boundaries were crossed is a weakness in your enforcement system . A state wide force would allow more efficient operation .
 
I'm very sorry about your family matters Curtis and will keep you in our prayers.

On the other hand. WAY TO GO CURTIS. You are really one heck of a great person to do something like that when dealing with your own situation and your grandmas. I think she must be one heck of a spunky lady!!!

I sure wish our 911 officers were more like yours. The last time I did that (called 911 and followed someone who was going very slow mind you) they informed me that if I were involved in any accidents etc I would be held responsible. Sure doesn't make you want to try and help save the innocent in Indiana. *sigh*
 
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We have a statewide force but they do not have as big of a presence as the local leos do, naturally. And just to clarify, the drunk was NOT going 50 mph until they noticed I was behind them. When I first encountered them, they were going about 70 mph and slowed down, then took off again. The traffic was light at midnight on a 3 lane divided interstate highway with mostly trucks. After getting close enough to get their license number, I dropped back a few hundred yards and stayed with them.
 
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